Medtronic Reports Robot-Assisted Gynecological Procedure Success
July 29, 2021
Medtronic, which develops medical technology including surgical robots, has announced the first gynecological (GYN) procedures with its Hugo robot-assisted surgery (RAS) system. Six cases included hysterectomies and myomectomies, performed by Dr. Salomon Zebede and Dr. Juan Carlos Lopez last week at Pacifica Salud Hospital in Panama City, Panama.
“As the cornerstone of our new robotic surgery program, the Hugo RAS system is playing a critical role in bringing the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to more patients in our region,” said Dr. Zebede. “It was energizing to perform the very first GYN procedure with the Hugo system, and encouraging to experience firsthand the possibility this technology brings to women’s health.”
Medtronic said that globally, more than 60% of hysterectomies are performed as open procedures, even though minimally invasive surgery offers fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster return-to-normal activities.
Pacifica Salud is the latest institution to join Medtronic’s Partners in Possibility Program, a group of pioneering hospitals that will be among the first in the world to use the Hugo RAS system. Earlier this month, the hospital announced five urological cases performed with Hugo. The hospital is also an early adopter of Touch Surgery Enterprise, a cloud-based surgical video capture solution that lets surgeons seamlessly record, analyze, and share surgical video.
“We are witnessing the dawn of a new era in robotic surgery,” said Rafael Cohen, CEO of Pacific Salud. “That is made possible by the Hugo system, our partnership with Medtronic, and our talented team at Pacifica Salud.”
Dr. Salomon Zebede prepares to perform a gynelogical procedure with the Medtronic Hugo robot-assisted surgery system at Pacifica Salud Hospital, Panama City, Panama.
The Hugo RAS system is a modular, multi-quadrant platform designed for several soft-tissue procedures. The system is aimed to lower cost and utilization barriers that have kept surgical robotics out of reach for many hospitals. In June, the company announced the first clinical procedures with Hugo in Santiago, Chile. Medtronic said it is also collecting clinical data to support regulatory submissions around the world through its Hugo RAS system patient registry.
“As an OB/GYN, I’m incredibly passionate about advancing women’s health and well being through less invasive solutions that improve outcomes and enable a better quality of life,” said Dr. Carla Peron, chief medical officer of Medtronic’s surgical robotics business. “The first GYN procedures with the Hugo RAS system represent an exciting step toward expanding access to more treatment options, including the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery, to women everywhere.”
Medtronic said the Hugo RAS system is not cleared or approved in the U.S. or Europe. Regulatory requirements of individual countries and regions will determine availability and approval or clearance timelines. Touch Surgery Enterprise is available in the U.S., and Europe, but is not intended to direct surgery, or aid in diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition.
More details on the Hugo RAS system are available at Medtronic’s website.
